Tuesday, March 7
Fort Worth, Texas
2 p.m.
University of Houston
52
vs
33
SMU
Defense Tames Mustangs, Cougars Advance
3/7/2023 6:36:00 PM | Women's Basketball
Houston holds SMU to season low in points, 33, advances to second-straight semifinal appearance
FORT WORTH, Texas – Behind a defensive clinic, the No. 4 seed Houston women's basketball team held No. 5 SMU to a season-low 33 points in its 52-33 quarterfinal win at the American Athletic Conference Tournament on Tuesday in Dickies Arena.
The 33 points allowed by Houston (14-15) is the fewest allowed by the Cougars since 2020, also against SMU, and SMU's 26.5 field goal percentage is the second lowest Houston has ever allowed at the American Conference Tournament. The Cougars held the Mustangs to just 11 first half points, the team's best defensive half of the season.
Junior Laila Blair led the Cougars in scoring with 12 points, all scored in the second half, and dished out a career-high-tying eight assists. Blair scored 10 points in the third quarter. Graduate Tatyana Hill pulled down 13 rebounds and was two points away from her 17th-career double-double.
SMU scored the first five points of the game before Houston responded by going on a 13-0 run over the final 6:24 of the first quarter. Redshirt senior Britney Onyeje hit a three-pointer and Hill scored six of her eight points in the period. Onyeje forced all four of her steals in the first half.
The Cougars grew their halftime lead of 13 points to 17 points after making a pair of layups to open the third quarter. A three-pointer by Blair with 4:19 remaining in the quarter made it a 21-point Cougar lead. SMU finished the period on a 10-2 run to bring the Houston lead back to 13 points.
Houston held SMU to single-digit scoring for the in the fourth quarter and just two field goals in the period even though the Cougars forced a game-low three turnovers in the final quarter. The Cougars forced 10 turnovers in the second quarter and 24 total in the game. Houston posted 13 total steals in the game and held SMU 0 for 10 from beyond the arc.
UP NEXT
Houston will play No. 8 Wichita State on Wednesday for the second time in seven days after the Shockers upset the No. 1 seed South Florida by 12 points, 65-53. The Cougars and Shockers will play at 4 p.m. in the first semifinal of the day on ESPN+.
TICKETS ON SALE
Fans may purchase single-game tickets for all home games by clicking here. To purchase 2022-23 season tickets, click here. Fans may click here anytime or call the Houston Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN the FAST BREAK CLUB
Fans are invited to join the Fast Break Club to support Houston Women's Basketball. Fast Break Club members provide financial support directly to Houston Women's Basketball for needs beyond the program's operating budget. For more information about the Fast Break Club, click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarWBB on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarWBB or on the team's Instagram page at @UHCougarWBB.
The 33 points allowed by Houston (14-15) is the fewest allowed by the Cougars since 2020, also against SMU, and SMU's 26.5 field goal percentage is the second lowest Houston has ever allowed at the American Conference Tournament. The Cougars held the Mustangs to just 11 first half points, the team's best defensive half of the season.
Junior Laila Blair led the Cougars in scoring with 12 points, all scored in the second half, and dished out a career-high-tying eight assists. Blair scored 10 points in the third quarter. Graduate Tatyana Hill pulled down 13 rebounds and was two points away from her 17th-career double-double.
SMU scored the first five points of the game before Houston responded by going on a 13-0 run over the final 6:24 of the first quarter. Redshirt senior Britney Onyeje hit a three-pointer and Hill scored six of her eight points in the period. Onyeje forced all four of her steals in the first half.
The Cougars grew their halftime lead of 13 points to 17 points after making a pair of layups to open the third quarter. A three-pointer by Blair with 4:19 remaining in the quarter made it a 21-point Cougar lead. SMU finished the period on a 10-2 run to bring the Houston lead back to 13 points.
Houston held SMU to single-digit scoring for the in the fourth quarter and just two field goals in the period even though the Cougars forced a game-low three turnovers in the final quarter. The Cougars forced 10 turnovers in the second quarter and 24 total in the game. Houston posted 13 total steals in the game and held SMU 0 for 10 from beyond the arc.
UP NEXT
Houston will play No. 8 Wichita State on Wednesday for the second time in seven days after the Shockers upset the No. 1 seed South Florida by 12 points, 65-53. The Cougars and Shockers will play at 4 p.m. in the first semifinal of the day on ESPN+.
TICKETS ON SALE
Fans may purchase single-game tickets for all home games by clicking here. To purchase 2022-23 season tickets, click here. Fans may click here anytime or call the Houston Athletics Ticket Office at 713-GO-COOGS (462-6647) during regular business hours.
SUPPORT HOUSTON RISE
Join Houston Rise, a $150 million fundraising campaign for Houston Athletics dedicated to championship success in the Big 12 Conference. Every Houston Rise contribution prepares our Cougars to compete and win when we start Big 12 competition in July 2023. Click here to rise and be counted.
JOIN the FAST BREAK CLUB
Fans are invited to join the Fast Break Club to support Houston Women's Basketball. Fast Break Club members provide financial support directly to Houston Women's Basketball for needs beyond the program's operating budget. For more information about the Fast Break Club, click here.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarWBB on Twitter and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team's Facebook page at UHCougarWBB or on the team's Instagram page at @UHCougarWBB.
– UHCougars.com –
Players Mentioned
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/ Women's Basketball
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/ Women's Basketball
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